Batang Bear Brand triumphs

Batang Bear Brand’s Ron Gamboa is sandwiched by the Silencer’s Rey Culala, left, and Mike Estores during the fourth quarter of their title game in the IT&E-sponsored Ali’i Blue Haus caging last Saturday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Batang Bear Brand eased past the Kelvin Fitial-less Silencer, 88-69, in the winner-take-all finale in the 2nd Ali’i Blue Haus Invitational Basketball League last Saturday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Fitial missed the most important game of the season due to a family event and his highly anticipated matchup with fellow big man Hal Spott did not materialize, as the latter was also attending a family gathering off-island. However, Batang Bear Brand survived the absence of Spot as tried-and-tested veterans Ronnel Gamboa and Elmer Esdrelon played their usual solid game and shooter Jeff Che was on target in the finals.

The Silencer, in contrast, clearly struggled both on offense and defense without Fitial, who scored 37 points in their 91-74 semis win over Team Sawi and had more than 10 rebounds. Without Fitial, Angelo Fernando was left with the tough task to carry the cudgels on offense for the Silencer, while Batang Bear Brand limited its foe to one shot per customer as the former was not there to clear the board.

Fernando worked early making the Silencer’s third field goal, while Mico Usi opened the team’s scoring with a triple, followed by Nestor Arreza’s reverse layup for their 5-0 lead. That was the only time the Silencer had the upper hand, as after the 13-13 deadlock, Batang Bear Brand unloaded a 14-0 run bridging the last three minutes of the first quarter and the opening two minutes of the second to take control of the match. Batang Bear Brand went on to close the half with a 50-35 advantage.

With Batang Bear Brand threatening to pull away, Fernando tried to step up in the third canto and drew some help from Amor Zapata and Patrick Morales to cut the deficit to 8, twice, 45-53, 49-57. However, Gamboa hit rally-halting baskets in the third to keep Batang Bear Brand’s safe distance and the eventual champion remained on top by twin digits at the end of the third, 63-53.

Then in the fourth canto, Batang Bear Brand went for the kill, dropping an 11-2 bomb for a 74-55 advantage. Che, Esdrelon, and Gamboa teamed up in the scoring surge and Batang Bear Brand had the game in the bag and the championship at the halfway mark of the fourth canto, as it led by 22, 80-58. Batang Bear Brand put the finishing touches to its title win by hitting its free throws in the closing minutes, as the team capitalized on the foul troubled Silencer.

Gamboa top-scored for Batang Bear Brand with his 33 points, while Che and Esdrelon added 23 and 15, respectively. Fernando led the Silencer with his 20 points, while Zapata and Usi chipped in 12 each, and Morales contributed 11.

Batang Bear Brand 88 — Gamboa 33, Che 23, Esdrelon 15, Ariar 6, Flores 4, Devero 3, Achas 3.

Silencer 69 — Fernando 20, Usi 12, Zapata 12, Morales 11, Sevilla 4, Estores 4, Perez 2, Arreza 2, Culala 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-16, 50-35, 63-53, 88-66.